Rancho Peñasquitos, San Diego, California

Rancho Peñasquitos is a community in the northeastern part of the city of San Diego, California. Rancho "Peñasquitos" (little cliffs) is surrounded by a canyon open space preserve offering hiking, biking and equestrian trails. The most prominent feature of the community is Black Mountain which rises to an elevation of convert|1500|ft|m. The population of Rancho Peñasquitos is 54,289.Fact|date=February 2007 Rancho Peñasquitos is commonly known as PQ and is located in zip code 92129.

Rancho Peñasquitos is bordered:
* On the north by Black Mountain Ranch and Rancho Bernardo
* On the south by Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve and Mira Mesa
* On the east by Carmel Mountain Ranch and Sabre Springs
* On the west by Torrey Highlands and Del Mar Mesa.

History

Native American history within the area dates back as far as 7,000 years ago. Remains of the prehistoric culture can still be found. Rancho de los Peñasquitos was San Diego County's first Mexican land grant. In 1823, one league (4,243 acres; 17 km²) was awarded to Captain Francisco María Ruiz, a Commandant of the Presidio of San Diego. This one league was at the eastern part of the Los Penasquitos Canyon and extended into Sabre Springs and up to Rancho Bernardo.

Main thoroughfares

State Route 56 traverses east-west through the central portion of the community. Interstate 15 passes on the east side of Rancho Peñasquitos. Black Mountain Road is the main North-South artery, and Carmel Mountain Road/Rancho Peñasquitos Boulevard is the main East-West artery.

Community events

* Fiesta de los Peñasquitos is a community oriented street faire held on the First Sunday in May
* In Honor of the Fourth of July, Westview High School features a fireworks show (which until recently was hosted by Mt. Carmel High School) (This show usually is held on July 3rd).
* Christmas Card Lane (starting at Oviedo Street - off Black Mtn. Rd) from Dec 10 until Dec 31.

Parks

* [http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/centers/ranchopenskate.shtml PQ Skate Park]
* Canyonside Recreation Center
* Hilltop Recreation Center
* Black Mountain Open Space Park
* [http://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/penasq.shtml Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve]

Schools

Rancho Peñasquitos is served by the Poway Unified School District.

High schools

* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdmchs/ Mt. Carmel High School (Sundevils)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdahs/ Abraxas High School (Eagles)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdrbhs/default.htm Rancho Bernardo High School (Broncos)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdphs/ Poway High School (Titans)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdwhs/ Westview High School (Wolverines)]

Middle schools

* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdmvms/default.htm Mesa Verde Middle School (Eagles)]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdbmms/default.htm Black Mountain Middle School (Raiders)]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/PUSDMBMS/default.htm Meadowbrook Middle School (Stallions)]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/PUSDBHMS/ Bernardo Heights Middle School (Bobcats)]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdovms/ Oak Valley Middle School]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdtpms/default.htm Twin Peaks Middle School (Rams)]

Elementary schools

* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdabes/default.htm Adobe Bluffs Elementary School (Aztecs)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdcves/default.htm Canyon View Elementary School (Coyotes)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/PUSDCHES/default.htm Chaparral Elementary School (Hawks)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdcses/default.htm Creekside Elementary School (Geckos)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/PUSDDCES/default.htm Deer Canyon Elementary School (Bucks)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdgres/ Garden Road Elementary School (Eagles)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdhres/ Highland Ranch Elementary School (Stallions)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/PUSDLPES/ Los Peñasquitos Elementary School (Hawks)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/PUSDMIES/default.htm Midland Elementary School (Rattleskins)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdmres/home.htm Monterey Ridge Elementary School (Monarchs)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdmces/default.htm Morning Creek Elementary School (Colts)]
* [http://www.powayusd.com/pusdpres/ Painted Rock Elementary School (Panthers)]
*Park Village Elementary School (Penguins)
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/PUSDPOES/default.htm Pomerade Elementary School (Bobcats)]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdrhes/default.htm Rolling Hills Elementary School (Pumas)]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdsces/default.htm Shoal Creek Elementary School (Otters)]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdsres/default.htm Stone Ranch Elementary School]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/PUSDSDES/default.htm Sundance Elementary School (Wildcats)]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/PUSDSHES/default.htm Sunset Hills Elementary School (Seagulls)]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/PUSDTBES/ Tierra Bonita Elementary School (Cheetas)]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdtes/ Turtleback Elementary School]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdves/ Valley Elementary School (Tigers)]
* [http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/pusdwwes/splash/wwes.htm Westwood Elementary School (Roadrunners)]

External links

* [http://savepq.org Rancho Penasquitos-NE Action Group]
* [http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/community/profiles/ranchopenasquitos/index.shtml San Diego Community Profile: Rancho Peñasquitos]
* [http://www.rpcouncil.com Rancho Penasquitos Town Council]
* [http://www.signonsandiego.com/sandiego/communities/northinland/rancho_penasquitos.html SignOn San Diego Description]
* [http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com/profiles/events/283773 San Diego Union Tribune Article on Christmas Card Lane]
* [http://www.fiestapq.com Fiesta de los Penasquitos]
* [http://www.troop622.com Boy Scout Troop 622]
* [http://www.troop667.info Boy Scout Troop 667]